Akash Surface-to-air Missile

[Patriot]

Akash Missile System For Indian Army OK'd

Jun 9, 2010



By Anantha Krishnan M.
Bengaluru


The Army version of the Akash missile system, valued at Rs 12,500 crore ($2.8 billion), has been cleared for induction by India's Defense Acquisition Council (DAC).

The India military services' combined orders of the Defense Research and Development Organization-developed Akash, including two radars, have a total worth of Rs 23,300 crore. This is an unprecedented defense order for a DRDO-developed weapons system, and the biggest order ever for DRDO's tactical missile and radar systems.

The June 8 DAC meeting was chaired by Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony. Others in attendance included the service chiefs, Secretary Defense, Secretary Defense Production, Secretary Defense Finance, Director General of Acquisition, DRDO Chief, and the Chief of Integrated Defense Staff (CIDS).

A senior Ministry of Defense (MoD) official told AVIATION WEEK that Hyderabad-based Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) will be the system integrator and nodal production agency for the Akash Army variant. DAC had earlier cleared an Akash order worth Rs 6,500 for the Indian Air Force (IAF), with Bangalore-based Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) as its system integrator.

"We have decided to split the IAF and Army orders between BEL and BDL to encourage competition within Indian industries and also to increase the synergy between the work centers," the official said.

BEL Chairman and Managing Director A.K. Datt told AVIATION WEEK in April that the IAF has placed missile orders for two squadrons, and BEL is soon expecting follow-up orders for four more squadrons.

The DAC had earlier approved Rs 2,800 crore worth of 3-D Surveillance-cum-Acquisition Radars, independent of the missiles, for all three services.

"Seventy radars have been ordered, each costing Rs 40 core," the official said. In addition, the Indian Army has ordered Rs 1,500 crore of Weapon-Locating Radar, each costing Rs 50 crore.

"In the next 7-8 years, close to 100 Indian industries will benefit from these projects. The project support for the services for these systems will be there for 25 years," the official said. "This is a big boost to Indian industries with so much of money being pumped into the Indian economy. It is a great wealth-generation opportunity, in addition to [the] creation of more jobs as a home-grown tactical missile system is finally getting on top in place of the French, Russian, British and Israeli systems. This will give DRDO the much-needed lift and the Indian industry know-how to manufacture complicated weapon systems."

Considering that many of the current existing missile systems within the Indian armed forces are of foreign origin, DAC's combined order is a boost to DRDO's research and development efforts.

"The R&D cost of Rs 1,000 crore, including the project sanction of Rs 600 crore, is 8-10 times lower than the cost of similar system developments in advanced countries," the official said. "Akash, which is considered as Indian 'poor man's Patriot,' has certain unique characteristics like mobility, all-the-way-powered flight till target interception, multiple target handling, digitally-coded command guidance and fully automatic operation."

The Akash missile systems consist of a launcher, a missile with a 25-30 km. range, control center, multifunction fire control radar and supporting ground equipment.






http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?

 

[plugwater]

EXCLUSIVE: Akash Mk-II SAM To Fly In Two Years

The Mark-II version of India's Akash surface-to-air missile has begun development and will be ready for a first flight in 24 months -- that's the guarantee its makers, the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) have given to the Air Force and Army. With orders worth Rs 23,300-crore in the bag, the Akash is the currently toast of India's missile programme. Top sources have revealed that while most of Project Akash staff is currently focused on ensuring that serial production is trouble-free, a select team of scientists and engineers has been handpicked to begin Mk-II.

The Akash Mk-II will be a longer-range, faster and more accurate SAM. Ok, now here's the low-down on the Akash Mk-II. The missile will have an intercept range of 30-35 km, or a little over 10-km more than the Mk-I version. Apart from extending range, the Mk-II project mandate will be to increase accuracy of the missile's guidance system and the fire control system, push up the missile's performance, agility, speed, efficiency and accuracy. This will involve tweaking of almost all major systems, including the missile itself, signal processors etc.

Project Akash-II has set itself a deadline of 18 months to begin simulated trials, following which it will begin a routine of development test-firings. While Mk-I cost DRDO Rs 1,000-crore to complete, the Mk-II project has taken a decision not to ask for funds unless it absolutely needs them. An interim feasibility study conducted by the laboratories concerned has shown that scientists are confident of getting the first prototype up and ready on a modest tech-dem budget extended to all follow-on programmes.

http://livefist.blogspot.com/2010/06/exclusive-akash-mk-ii-sam-to-fly-in-two.html

 

[SHASH2K2]

http://www.indian-military.org/news-archives/indian-air-force-news/803-akash-missile-system-for-indian-army-okd.html

[Aviation Week] The Army version of the Akash missile system, valued at Rs 12,500 crore ($2.8 billion), has been cleared for induction by India's Defense Acquisition Council (DAC). The India military services' combined orders of the Defense Research and Development Organization-developed Akash, including two radars, have a total worth of Rs 23,300 crore. This is an unprecedented defense order for a DRDO-developed weapons system, and the biggest order ever for DRDO's tactical missile and radar systems. The June 8 DAC meeting was chaired by Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony. Others in attendance included the service chiefs, Secretary Defense, Secretary Defense Production, Secretary Defense Finance, Director General of Acquisition, DRDO Chief, and the Chief of Integrated Defense Staff (CIDS).

A senior Ministry of Defense (MoD) official told AVIATION WEEK that Hyderabad-based Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) will be the system integrator and nodal production agency for the Akash Army variant. DAC had earlier cleared an Akash order worth Rs 6,500 for the Indian Air Force (IAF), with Bangalore-based Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) as its system integrator. "We have decided to split the IAF and Army orders between BEL and BDL to encourage competition within Indian industries and also to increase the synergy between the work centers," the official said.

BEL Chairman and Managing Director A.K. Datt told AVIATION WEEK in April that the IAF has placed missile orders for two squadrons, and BEL is soon expecting follow-up orders for four more squadrons. The DAC had earlier approved Rs 2,800 crore worth of 3-D Surveillance-cum-Acquisition Radars, independent of the missiles, for all three services. "Seventy radars have been ordered, each costing Rs 40 core," the official said. In addition, the Indian Army has ordered Rs 1,500 crore of Weapon-Locating Radar, each costing Rs 50 crore.

"In the next 7-8 years, close to 100 Indian industries will benefit from these projects. The project support for the services for these systems will be there for 25 years," the official said. "This is a big boost to Indian industries with so much of money being pumped into the Indian economy. It is a great wealth-generation opportunity, in addition to [the] creation of more jobs as a home-grown tactical missile system is finally getting on top in place of the French, Russian, British and Israeli systems. This will give DRDO the much-needed lift and the Indian industry know-how to manufacture complicated weapon systems."

Considering that many of the current existing missile systems within the Indian armed forces are of foreign origin, DAC's combined order is a boost to DRDO's research and development efforts.

"The R&D cost of Rs 1,000 crore, including the project sanction of Rs 600 crore, is 8-10 times lower than the cost of similar system developments in advanced countries," the official said. "Akash, which is considered as Indian 'poor man's Patriot,' has certain unique characteristics like mobility, all-the-way-powered flight till target interception, multiple target handling, digitally-coded command guidance and fully automatic operation."

The Akash missile systems consist of a launcher, a missile with a 25-30 km. range, control center, multifunction fire control radar and supporting ground equipment.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

http://livefist.blogspot.com/2010/06/exclusive-akash-mk-ii-sam-to-fly-in-two.html

Akash Mk-II SAM To Fly In Two Years

The Mark-II version of India's Akash surface-to-air missile has begun development and will be ready for a first flight in 24 months -- that's the guarantee its makers, the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) have given to the Air Force and Army. With orders worth Rs 23,300-crore in the bag, the Akash is the currently toast of India's missile programme. Top sources have revealed that while most of Project Akash staff is currently focused on ensuring that serial production is trouble-free, a select team of scientists and engineers has been handpicked to begin Mk-II.

The Akash Mk-II will be a longer-range, faster and more accurate SAM. Ok, now here's the low-down on the Akash Mk-II. The missile will have an intercept range of 30-35 km, or a little over 10-km more than the Mk-I version. Apart from extending range, the Mk-II project mandate will be to increase accuracy of the missile's guidance system and the fire control system, push up the missile's performance, agility, speed, efficiency and accuracy. This will involve tweaking of almost all major systems, including the missile itself, signal processors etc.

Project Akash-II has set itself a deadline of 18 months to begin simulated trials, following which it will begin a routine of development test-firings. While Mk-I cost DRDO Rs 1,000-crore to complete, the Mk-II project has taken a decision not to ask for funds unless it absolutely needs them. An interim feasibility study conducted by the laboratories concerned has shown that scientists are confident of getting the first prototype up and ready on a modest tech-dem budget extended to all follow-on programmes.

 

[SHASH2K2]

The Mark-II version of India's Akash surface-to-air missile has begun development and will be ready for a first flight in 24 months -- that's the guarantee its makers, the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) have given to the Air Force and Army. With orders worth Rs 23,300-crore in the bag, the Akash is the currently toast of India's missile programme. Top sources have revealed that while most of Project Akash staff is currently focused on ensuring that serial production is trouble-free, a select team of scientists and engineers has been handpicked to begin Mk-II.

The Akash Mk-II will be a longer-range, faster and more accurate SAM. Ok, now here's the low-down on the Akash Mk-II. The missile will have an intercept range of 30-35 km, or a little over 10-km more than the Mk-I version. Apart from extending range, the Mk-II project mandate will be to increase accuracy of the missile's guidance system and the fire control system, push up the missile's performance, agility, speed, efficiency and accuracy. This will involve tweaking of almost all major systems, including the missile itself, signal processors etc.

Project Akash-II has set itself a deadline of 18 months to begin simulated trials, following which it will begin a routine of development test-firings. While Mk-I cost DRDO Rs 1,000-crore to complete, the Mk-II project has taken a decision not to ask for funds unless it absolutely needs them. An interim feasibility study conducted by the laboratories concerned has shown that scientists are confident of getting the first prototype up and ready on a modest tech-dem budget extended to all follow-on programmes.

http://livefist.blogspot.com/2010/06/exclusive-akash-mk-ii-sam-to-fly-in-two.html

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Its a good news, but it would have been better if the range is double, plus Akash do requires a advance active seeker..
But again, its good to have mass no of Indigenous SAMs..

 

[Rahul Singh]

Shiv Arror is not that reliable, in past he had reported "Army not interested in Arjun and will not order beyond 124" and within days we saw reports on Army's order to buy 124 more Arjuns...

There is no point in going for MK-2 for adding only 10km more range. Lest i expect and i think logical is additional 20 KM range hiking Akash into 40 KM - 45 KM range SAM..

 

[LETHALFORCE]

I don't know how accurate this report is?? The original range was reported to be 40-60km

 

[Rahul Singh]

Yes LF. The range you quoted is logical too because our forces need a filler between 10-12KM range spider and 70 KM range MR-SAM and 45-60KM Akash will be most suitable.

 

[Anshu Attri]

http://idrw.org/?p=1983

Akash Mk-2 will become Akash EX (Extended Range Mk-II)

Initial work on Akash MK-2 has begun ,and the new missiles system will be fielded within next two years by DRDO , earlier plans was to have Akash mk-2 with range up to 50 to 60km but those plans have been curtailed to bring in only extended range Akash with marginal increase in range of 10 to 15 km from its current range of 20 to25 km .
This probably has been done to avoid two different long range missiles in Army and Air force arsenal , DRDO and IAI of Israel have already developed Barak-II (Barak with range of 70km for navy and work on land based version will also be developed soon ,so its logical to work on Barak-II which will be long range interceptor missile for all three forces while Akash MK-1 and MK-2 will be Medium range surface to air interceptor missile for both army and air force .
Barak-2 has been recently been tested in Tel Aviv successfully and further testing will be held in India later this year .
While DRDO will be working with French for the short range Low Level Quick Reaction Missile (LLQRM) know has MAITRI , which will have technology developed for Trishul LLQRM TDP (technology Demonstrator Project) and will have range of 8 to 15km and will be used by all three defence forces of India.
DRDO will also be developing more advance version of the Rajendra BSR (Battery Surveillance Radar) which is PESA radar, while Akash Mk-2 will have a Rajendra derivative AESA radar to perform the same role, AESA radar will give it better tracking, and engagement functions. Work on AESA variant has begun and almost nearing completion.
DRDO expects to increase the range of Akash by using using better composite booster with lengthened booster section to achieve the desired range.
This will be the Roles of Surface to Air missile in Indian Armed Force
MAITRI (LLQRM) 8-15 km Quick reaction short range Air to Surface missile
Akash MK-1 /MK-2 (MR-SAM) 20-25 /35 km Medium range Air to Surface missile
Barak-2 ( LRSAM) 70km Long Range Air to Surface missile
While all three missile systems will have different roles in Indian Armed force and will be inducted by all three forces ,only Akash MK-1/2 will not see service in Indian Navy .

 

[LETHALFORCE]

why does a missile that is going to be used by army have to have it's range reduced because a naval missile has similar range??

 

[Rahul Singh]

May be it's like Naval missile must have long range version of same missile because most of the time they will be intercepting fast moving sea-skimming cruise missile...

 

[Kunal Biswas]

MAITRI (LLQRM) 8-15 km Quick reaction short range Air to Surface missile
Akash MK-1 /MK-2 (MR-SAM) 20-25 /35 km Medium range Air to Surface missile
Barak-2 ( LRSAM) 70km Long Range Air to Surface missile

How many Barak-2 will be available compare to Akash?
If 70km Barak-2 is long range what would be they call S-400?
What will happen to Indigenous Ashvin 150-200km?

Instead of making MK-2, DRDO should make it a upgrade to existing Systems..

Besides Chinese Anti SAM tech, Which already have copies of KH-31P/ YJ-91 anti-radiation missile with a impressive range of 120km and a seeker that covers multiple frequency bands!
We need to work on longer and accurate SAMs..

While DRDO will be working with French for the short range Low Level Quick Reaction Missile (LLQRM) know has MAITRI

Good to know we are working on a Indigenous Short range SAM..

 

[prabhug]

I have some reservations on long range SAM's .By making larger kill radius how do we keep the kill probability high(i feel larger the distance lesser is the kill probability).Can ARM work for a wide bandwidth ( i am still not sure). In akash even if u take out the battery-level radar the Central radar would guide the missile. I felt increasing range of the SAMS is kind of adding booster motors(even Barak-II does it) and it might not change into kills.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

I have some reservations on long range SAM's .By making larger kill radius how do we keep the kill probability high(i feel larger the distance lesser is the kill probability).Can ARM work for a wide bandwidth ( i am still not sure). In akash even if u take out the battery-level radar the Central radar would guide the missile. I felt increasing range of the SAMS is kind of adding booster motors(even Barak-II does it) and it might not change into kills.

A new radar is also being developed for this point along with the new missile.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htada/articles/20100623.aspx

Akash For The Army

June 23, 2010: The Indian Army has ordered twelve batteries of Akash anti-aircraft missiles. Each Akash battery has three launcher vehicles, a radar vehicle and several support vehicles. Each launcher is self propelled, carrying four missiles, and costs $2.2 million. Each search radar, which can support several batteries, costs $8.7 million. Each battery has a Weapon Guidance radar, which costs $10.9 million each. Each 701 kg/1,543 pound Akash missile has a 60 kg/132 pound warhead, a range of 27 kilometers and can kit targets as high as 15,800 meters/49,000 feet, or as low as 20 meters.

Akash is modeled on the older, but successful, Russian SA-6 system, and is meant to replace some very old Russian air defense systems India is still using. India wants to build a version of Akash for use on ships, and is already looking into a longer range (60 kilometers) version.

Akash is the most expensive high tech system ever developed, and put into service, by India's DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization). DRDO has a reputation for delays and poor work. India spent over $250 million developing Akash, a project that began in the early 1980s. Akash had a very troubled development, and there is some doubt about how effective it will be in combat. Time will tell.

 

[lodaxstax]

what is the size of the order in terms cost

 

[plugwater]

India's Akash missile ready for production, induction

NEW DELHI (BNS): After several years of delay, India's indigenously developed Akash surface-to-air missile is now ready for production and induction in the armed forced.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which has received orders worth Rs 27,000 crore from both the Indian Army and Indian Air Force for the weapon system, is all set to start the production process along with its industry partners.

"The weapon system for the Akash missile is now ready for production and induction.

"This is a major milestone for DRDO and its industry partners. It is also an essential step towards indigenously developing more complex air defence weapons for the future," a DRDO official was quoted as saying by Financial Express.

The Indian Army had recently placed an order for 12 batteries of the medium range Akash missiles. Earlier this year, the IAF had ordered six Akash missile squadrons in addition to two squadrons already procured by it. Each squadron comprises 125 Akash missiles.

The medium range anti-aircraft missile Akash was developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) of India. The missile was intended to replace the Russian-made SAM-6 Kvadrat missiles.

http://www.brahmand.com/news/Indias-Akash-missile-ready-for-production-induction/4444/1/30.html

 

[Patriot]

Akash Missile Users Give Feedback To DRDO

India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) had the opportunity to listen to Akash missile system users at a recent high-profile meeting in New Delhi.

A senior defense ministry official tells AVIATION WEEK that the deputy chiefs of the Indian army and air force, industry partners, representatives from Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Ltd. (BDL) all shared their concerns and expectations with DRDO on the missile system. BEL and BDL are the principal integrators for the Akash.

"The objective of this input session was to capture the aspirations, concerns and demands of the users," the official says. "It also gave us an up-close [look] as to how the Indian industries were gearing up to meet the growing demand for the Akash. We discussed the current orders, production schedules, quality issues and cost-effectiveness."

India also answered questions put forth by the services. "We went into the details of the number of missiles that would be produced in phases and the supply-chain management philosophies," the official adds. "The Missile System Quality Assurance Agency explained how they would play the role of quality keepers."

DRDO explained the design aspects of the missile system, documentation procedures and technology transfer processes. The air force already has placed orders for two squadrons of these systems, and six more are in the final stages. The army also has placed orders for two regiments.

The missile system and radars are worth Rs 23,000 core ($4-5 billion) — the biggest orders in recent times for a DRDO product. "It is the first time a home-grown tactical missile system is being ordered in large numbers by Indian users," the official says.

Akash System photo: BEL





Akash Missile Users Give Feedback To DRDO | AVIATION WEEK

 

[nitesh]

This is indeed a very good news

India to develop its own futuristic computer operating system, IBN Live News

Meanwhile, Saraswat said many countries have evinced interest in buying Akash, Nag missiles and light combat aircraft 'Tejas' developed by India.There is possibility of export of many things, including the LCA whose performance and capability matches with the best aircraft in the world in that category."Many countries are approaching us for Akash missiles, Nag missiles and LCA," he said but declined to name them, saying "it's premature".